Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that may develop after traumatic incidents. It leads to negative, anxious emotions. Some people with this disorder relive the event over and over. This disorder interferes with life, work, and relationships. But, medication and counseling can assist, even years later.

What is post-traumatic stress disorder?

• PTSD is a mental health issue that can create later as a distressing event. The event may be harmful, life-threatening, shocking, or very scary.

Examples involve:

1. Accident
2. Fire
3. Military combat
4. Natural disasters, such as a tornado
5. Physical abuse
6. Sexual assault or rape
7. The sudden death of a loved one
8. Terrorist attack.

• The traumatic event may have occurred to you, or you may have seen it happen to someone else.
• It is normal to feel upset after something such as that happens. You may have trouble sleeping, eating, or doing things you enjoy for a small while. But with this disorder, symptoms last longer than a few months and interfere with your life.

How common is Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

• At least half (1/2) of the people in the United States (US) have experienced a traumatic event. Among this group, 10% of men and 20% of women grow this disorder.
• Women experience neglect or abuse during childhood more sometimes than men. They also experience sexual assault and domestic violence more sometimes. Women tend to experience trauma variously than men, too.

Are some people more likely to develop Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than others?

• There is no way to predict who will develop this disorder from a traumatic event.

However, this disorder is more common in people who have experienced:

1. Certain types of trauma, especially military combat or sexual assault,
2. Injury during the event,
3. Lack of support from loved ones later a traumatic event,
4. Long-lasting or repeated trauma,
5. Personal history of anxiety or depression, even previous the traumatic event,
6. Powerful early reaction to the event (for ex, shaking or throwing up),
7. Very intense trauma.

What causes Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

• A traumatic event causes this disorder. But, scientists are not sure why some people get this disorder and others do not.
• Everyone reacts to traumatic events variously. Each person is special in their ability to manage fear, stress, and the threat posed by a traumatic incident or situation. For that reason, not everyone who has trauma will create this disorder. Also, the type of assistance and support a person receives from friends, family members, and professionals following the trauma may impact the development of this disorder or the severity of the symptoms.
• This disorder was first time noticed in the medical community by war veterans; hence the names shell shock and battle fatigue syndrome. However, anyone who has had a traumatic incident can create this disorder. People who were misused as children or who have been repeatedly exposed to life-threatening situations are at risk for developing this disorder. Victims of trauma related to physical and sexual assault face the highest risk for this disorder.
• You may be more likely to develop this disorder later in a traumatic event if you have a history of other mental health problems, have blood relatives with mental health problems, and have a history of alcohol and drug misuse.

What are the symptoms of Post-traumatic stress disorder?

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms differ from person to person.

Still, everyone with this disorder experiences one or more of the following:

1. Avoiding things: You may keep away people or situations that remind you of the event. Examples involve friends you met in the military service, the area of town where you experienced the trauma or crowds in general. Some people with this disorder try to stay so busy that they do not think about the event.
2. Being on edge: The disorder can make it hard for you to relax or enjoy the things you utilized to. You may feel jittery or anxious. Maybe you are easily startled or always expect something bad to occur. You also may have difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
3. Having negative thoughts and feelings: This disorder can make you feel negative, angry, sad, distrustful, guilty, or numb.
4. Reliving or re-experiencing the traumatic event: This can grasp the form of flashbacks or dreams. Perhaps a noise like a car backfiring or looking at something similar (for example, a fire) will trigger sudden, unwelcome memories.

How does Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affect your life?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can lead to other issues with your health and life, such as:

• Alcohol and drug use
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Thoughts about harming yourself or others
• Difficulties at work and in your special relationships.

Children with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may:

• Act out the traumatic event when playing,
• Cling to a parent or other adult,
• Forget how to talk, or at least look to,
• Wet the bed even if they know how to utilize the toilet.

How is Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosed?

• There is no scan or blood test for this disorder. If you have experienced a traumatic event and are having symptoms of this disorder, talk to a healthcare provider.
• The healthcare provider (doctor) can create the diagnosis based on a conversation about your symptoms. To be considered this disorder, symptoms must last more than a month and intercede with your life.

What is the treatment for Post-traumatic stress disorder?

• The most effective treatment for this disorder combines medication and trauma-focused therapy.
• Certain medications can assist your body produce other substances that manage stress and emotions.

They fall into 2 broad categories:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors,
• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors also known as SNRIs,
• Trauma-focused therapy detects the event and its meaning.

It can be done in a few various ways:

• Cognitive processing therapy: This method identifies negative thoughts and beliefs about the traumatic event and tries to exchange them.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): You focus on personal sounds or movements introduced by the therapist while you think about the event. It aims to make the event decrease upsetting over time.
• Prolonged exposure therapy: This method encourages you to face thoughts, feelings, and situations you have been keeping away. You may tell about your trauma over and over. You may also work toward doing things you have been staying away from.

Physiotherapy Treatment

• A physiotherapist is not involved in the first treatment of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, patients with Post-traumatic stress disorder may have experienced an injury during their traumatic event, i.e. military personnel, emergency personnel, first responders, etc, who require physiotherapy interventions.
• Acknowledging that the development of this disorder can occur quickly, or with a delayed onset, understanding the associated risk factors, and recognizing signs and symptoms allow physiotherapists to better address the requirements of their patients.
• A patient exhibiting warning signs of this disorder may indicate the need for onward referral to a mental health professional. Also, collaboration with mental health professionals may be necessary to ensure the greatest quality of care for these patients.
• Treating a patient who presents with a co-morbidity of this disorder, or who is exhibiting signs and symptoms of the disorder, may pose challenges throughout the course of therapy.
• Challenges may involve the patient’s response to treatment, the patient’s relationship with the physiotherapist, compliance, fear of symptoms, etc.

Exercise is a potent technique for helping those with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Exercise is a strong tool in the fight against anxiety and depression. It promotes many changes in the brain, involving neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns that provide feelings of calm and well-being. It boosts physical and mental energy, relieves tension and stress, and enhances well-being through the let go of endorphins. Exercise can also serve as a much-required distraction, allowing you to find some time to break out of the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression.

In addition it also:

• Assists you sleep better so you restfully at night and feel more energized during the day.
• Gives you a sense of accomplishment as your fitness increases and you start achieving your goals.
• Exercise is commonly a shared activity with others so you get the added benefits of social connection.
• Before starting any exercise program (eg yoga, aerobics) client should 1st consult their doctor or physiotherapist to ensure that they do it safely. The doctor may also be able to assist identify the best exercises given clients’ goals, age, weight, or other possible physical health problems.

Can I prevent Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a traumatic event?

• You can not necessarily prevent a traumatic event.

But, some studies show that certain steps may help you prevent Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) afterward:

1. Ask for assistance and support,
2. Believe that you can treat your emotions,
3. Discover positive meaning from the trauma,
4. Concentrate on positive emotions and laughter,
5. Assist other people,
6. Use positive thinking,
7. Stay in continuous contact with important people in your life,
8. Tell loved ones about the event,
9. Think of yourself as a survivor alternative to a victim.

What else can I do to cope?

• Your healthcare provider can help you find support groups for people with this disorder caused by a similar event. You can join with others who understand what you are going through.

When should I seek immediate care?

• If you think about harming yourself or someone else, tell somebody right away. You can tell a healthcare provider (doctor), a friend, or a family member.

Summary

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health issue that lasts long later a traumatic event. It can create you feel negative and anxious. It can cause you to re-experience the event or keep away certain things.
• If you have symptoms of this disorder, talk to a healthcare provider. Medication and personal kinds of counseling can assist. If you feel as if you might hurt yourself or someone else, seek help immediately.

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